Adam Lambert: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Adam Lambert has been entertaining and shocking America since his 2009 stint on a reality show that made him a household name. He quickly became know for his theatrical voice, black eyeliner, and daring performances.

Now, the star has a TV gig and a new tour with a legendary rock band. Here’s all you need to know about the 32-year-old’s exciting and flourishing career.

1. He First Came on the Scene on ‘American Idol’

In 2009, Lambert was awarded the runner-up prize in the singing competition.

To me, it’s not about the title of American Idol. It was the experience. I made music. And I got to do a different performance every week and I was able to use ‘American Idol’ as a platform to get myself out there and have a career.

On the reality show, Lambert was credited with the feat of bringing theatricality back to the program. He told HitFix about that concept:

First and foremost, it is about the music, but it kind of packages it in a little bit more of a flashy, more interesting, dynamic way, in my opinion. I think theatricality is just one way of performing and I don’t think it’s a better way or The Way, but it’s my way.

Simon Cowell once dismissed Lambert, saying, “I think you are theatrical and therefore not current.”

And then there was another part of me that wanted to argue with him because ‘theatrical’ – especially at that time – was becoming very trendy. We had artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga breaking into the scene who were incredibly theatrical. But I was prepared to sit there and argue with him

I wanted the focus to be on my ability as a singer and as an entertainer — not on my private life. So I chose to kind of ignore the issue until after the voting ended.

In the same interview, he also announced that he is not opposed to kissing girls:

I’ve been known to make out with girls from time to time. Couple drinks involved, you know. It’s fun. And who knows? Maybe it’ll go further someday. I don’t know.

He is obviously open with his sexuality and told Yahoo that he wants to be sexually forward with his music as well:

I think [sexuality] has always been prevalent [in music], but we’re in a different time now and we can say more now. With the information age being what it is, everything is literal. Everything has to be spelled out. We tweet everything and we text everything; everything is put into words. So nuance is kind of a dying thing.

3. He’s Replacing Freddie Mercury on Queen’s Tour

During the iconic band’s first tour in eight years, Lambert will be honored with the role of a lifetime as the band’s frontman. Queen’s original frontman, Freddie Mercury, died in 1991 after a battle with AIDS.

I’m completely in awe of the Queen phenomenon,” Lambert says in a press release. “The thought of sharing the stage for a full set in North America is so beautifully surreal. I’m honored to be able to pay my respects to Freddie’s memory; he’s a personal hero of mine, and I am deeply grateful for the chance to sing such powerful music for fans of this legendary band.

4. He Has a Recurring Role on ‘Glee’ as a Rocker

His first appearance as NYU student Elliott Gilbert aka “Starchild” was on a November 2013 episode.

Angela Barbutistarted her reporting career in the seventh grade at her middle school newspaper in Queens. She's had lunch with Tony Danza, and Dave Franco said he liked her accent. Follow her on Twitter @angciao.April 19, 2015 3:58 am